Texas Fall/Winter thread!

[bindian]

The state of Texas has been thinking of farming out my daughter's department for months. Maybe years. My daughter told me last week it will happen in July. She has a side job interviewing folks and their homes that want to have foster kids. She can make enough money doing that to match her state job. But no insurance.

So she laid a bombshell on me yesterday. After loving the Austin area for over 14 years, and buying a house in Manor............................she's looking for a job in The Woodlands, or a state job in Houston. Now I am tickled about this, but it is huge for her AND huge for me. I was planning on retiring in the Giddings area, to be in the woods and within 45 minutes of my daughter and Grand daughter. Now that 45 minute spread would have me staying in this area and searching for retirement acreage north of here, in Walker county. This is boggling my mind so much it is numb. The margaritas are not helping either.

The Lord moves in mysterious ways. I have been putting off buying retirement acreage and I know now this is why. The Lord wanted me to wait.
hugs, Brandi

 

[Bird]

Yep, Brandi, I've often envied those who live their whole lives in the same place. There's been a couple of times in the past that I thought I was where I'd live out my days, but family matters have changed that several times. I guess we'll never know what the future holds.

 

[txdon]

The state of Texas has been thinking of farming out my daughter's department for months. Maybe years. My daughter told me last week it will happen in July. She has a side job interviewing folks and their homes that want to have foster kids. She can make enough money doing that to match her state job. But no insurance.

So she laid a bombshell on me yesterday. After loving the Austin area for over 14 years, and buying a house in Manor............................she's looking for a job in The Woodlands, or a state job in Houston. Now I am tickled about this, but it is huge for her AND huge for me. I was planning on retiring in the Giddings area, to be in the woods and within 45 minutes of my daughter and Grand daughter. Now that 45 minute spread would have me staying in this area and searching for retirement acreage north of here, in Walker county. This is boggling my mind so much it is numb. The margaritas are not helping either.

The Lord moves in mysterious ways. I have been putting off buying retirement acreage and I know now this is why. The Lord wanted me to wait.
hugs, Brandi

Brandi, If you would spend a week with my parents you might be able to see that this might be a blessing in disguise. They think they are living the dream in a remote county on a farm but they don't do any of the work any more. My brother and I could keep up but now that he is gone it is impossible for me to get done all that needs to be done. Add in that there is no hospital or many doctors in the county and the inability of my parent to drive far distance they are not independent at all. In fact after seeing their limitations and the limitations in health care I will be making another move to a place where I can depend less on someone else. Your children may like the big farm to play on but when you get 80 and they 60 it is another story.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Brandi, If you would spend a week with my parents you might be able to see that this might be a blessing in disguise. They think they are living the dream in a remote county on a farm but they don't do any of the work any more. My brother and I could keep up but now that he is gone it is impossible for me to get done all that needs to be done. Add in that there is no hospital or many doctors in the county and the inability of my parent to drive far distance they are not independent at all. In fact after seeing their limitations and the limitations in health care I will be making another move to a place where I can depend less on someone else. Your children may like the big farm to play on but when you get 80 and they 60 it is another story.

They were talking on the radio the other day about farmers "not getting to retire". They usually keep on as long as they can. Some until the inevitable. IMO, there is an unknown factor of living longer that is relative to having some chores to accomplish every day. Getting up, moving around and the feeling of accomplishment I believe help folks live longer. I have seen some go into retirement, sit around and not last very long.

Another side aspect of establishing a rural homestead, Brain Drain is the term for kids who grow up rurally and then have to move to a big city to get a job. Sad but true. They sometimes come back if there is still land to live on in the family when they retire from the big city. I have told my oldest daughter that, as long as we have a place to live, she is welcome to live at home (as long as she contributes). I told her this to let her know there is no stress in growing up and having to marry and move out.

Giddings is commutable to Austin, but traffic builds up before Manor. So the first 30 miles is easy, the last 20 take about 40 minutes on an average day. I can honestly tell you the costs of commuting are much higher than most people imagine. Lost time might be the biggest cost, though perceived as non - monetary.

Don, we keep getting flyers in the mail to subscribe to the helicopter ambulance service. Basically, you are buying insurance to cover what your normal insurance won't cover. Another side note: I'm surprised at Bastrop's lack of medical facilities. Brenham's are better and College Station's are much better (but over an hour away).

 

[lostcreekranch]

Today marks the 181st anniversary of the final day of the 13 day siege at The Alamo.

The Alamo Siege Chronology

Remember The Alamo!

If Santa Ana only knew what was awaiting him at San Jacinto on April 21st he might have turned south and gone home early.

 

[Thall303]

His ancestors appear to be getting even, all these years later!

 

[lostcreekranch]

His ancestors appear to be getting even, all these years later!

Ancestors?

Descendants perhaps?

Lo siento.

 

[bindian]

Brandi, If you would spend a week with my parents you might be able to see that this might be a blessing in disguise. They think they are living the dream in a remote county on a farm but they don't do any of the work any more. My brother and I could keep up but now that he is gone it is impossible for me to get done all that needs to be done. Add in that there is no hospital or many doctors in the county and the inability of my parent to drive far distance they are not independent at all. In fact after seeing their limitations and the limitations in health care I will be making another move to a place where I can depend less on someone else. Your children may like the big farm to play on but when you get 80 and they 60 it is another story.

I remember you Mrs's concerns for Mike's wife after his untimely death. That has crossed my mine. I will only be getting around 15-25 acres. Nothing big there. I do plan to stay closer. 45 minutes from The Woodlands now a days still have you close to medical facilities.
hugs, Brandi

 

[Thall303]

Si, English is my second language ��

 

[bindian]

Oh snap again. My aunt in Oregon sent me this. I haven't been paying attention to the fires in the Panhandle, but it might have got Grandpa's farm. My cousin owns it now. I'll call my uncle in Shattuck, Ok to find out tomorrow.
The farm is about a half mile east of this road sign, about a mile north of Higgins. Seems the fires got near the first street in Higgins and the winds changed directions.
hugs, Brandi

 

[Snowback]

Oh snap again. My aunt in Oregon sent me this. I haven't been paying attention to the fires in the Panhandle, but it might have got Grandpa's farm. My cousin owns it now. I'll call my uncle in Shattuck, Ok to find out tomorrow. View attachment 501678
The farm is about a half mile east of this road sign, about a mile north of Higgins. Seems the fires got near the first street in Higgins and the winds changed directions.
hugs, Brandi

Oh wow. So sorry to hear this Brandi. I hope and pray everyone is safe and that structures and livestock stay intact. Thoughts are with all those folks affected.

 

[bindian]

Thanks Snowback. The article sounded gruesome enough.
hugs, Brandi

 

[two_bit_score]

Does anyone know if the brush fires in the Panhandle were rained out?

TBS

 

[lostcreekranch]

Happy Spring 2017!

Spring began today at 5:28 a.m. Central Daylight Savings Time.

Post Oaks leafing out and the Live Oaks are busy changing out leaves. Oh, and the June Bugs arrived Friday evening so ..... it must be Spring!

See y'all over at the Texas Spring / Summer thread!

 

[bindian]

Bye-bye Fall/Winter.
hugs, Brandi

 

[lostcreekranch]

Well Fall officially started at 3:02 p.m. CDT today but ...... still feels more like summer here.

I got put in “time out” over on the Spring / Summer thread so ........ I’ll have to mind my manners over here or face same result.

 

[robbyr]

Well Fall officially started at 3:02 p.m. CDT today but ...... still feels more like summer here.

I got put in “time out” over on the Spring / Summer thread so ........ I’ll have to mind my manners over here or face same result.

View attachment 522458

Come on out of time out and here's wishing ya a great Fall.

 

[sseelhoff]

Fall is here. All we need is some fall weather.

 

[Bird]

Fall is here. All we need is some fall weather.

Don't we wish!

 

[lostcreekranch]

Super foggy here this morning. Temp at 7 a.m. was 67 degrees. Maybe some rain this week.